The permanent secretary for the Department for Education called in at a Lower Earley primary school last month for a chat with the country’s youngest headteacher.

David Bell paid a visit to Hillside Primary School in Rushey Way in September, where he held talks with 30-year-old headteacher Kelly Gauld.

During his visit the secretary learned how Mrs Gauld has been running the school since the age of 28, when she was appointed acting headteacher in September 2008.

While there, he also met Andy Couldrick, general manager of children’s services at Wokingham Borough Council, Richard Stanley, head of learning and achievement, Angela Sutton, the school’s chairman of governors, and vice-chairman Lindsey Bowden.

The visit concluded when Year Six pupils at the primary school gave their guest a guided tour of the building.

Mrs Gauld began her career in education when she undertook a teaching degree at Kingston University before being offered a job at a school in Slough, where she quickly became the head of Years Five and Six and its mathematics co-ordinator.

She then took her career west after accepting a job at the Lower Earley school.

During her time as leader the school has received an outstanding report from Ofsted and is undergoing building work being funded under the council’s primary capital programme.

Once complete the school will boast new classrooms for pupils and staff.

Mrs Gauld said: “It was a great opportunity to meet David, who began his career in a similar way as myself, and discuss what lies ahead of me as headteacher of Hillside.

“During David’s time with us he visited several different lessons at the school, as well as meeting school governors who discussed the building work that is going on at the school as part of the borough council’s primary capital programme.”

Councillor Rob Stanton, lead member for children’s services at the borough council, added: “Not only is Kelly the youngest headteacher in the country, which is a fantastic achievement, but she is also doing a wonderful job at Hillside.

“The children in the school are very lucky to have someone like Kelly, who is so enthusiastic and passionate about her job, and I would like to wish her the best of luck as headteacher of Hillside Primary School.”